Interior designers reveal the forgotten area in your home that could be the solution to finding space for an office

An office on the landing that uses the space at the top or halfway up your stairs might not be the most obvious spot for you home office design ideas, but this approach actually makes a great deal of sense.

"Creating a home office on a landing can be a brilliant use of space, especially in period homes where alcoves or wider corridors are often underused," explains Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Design Studio. "With some thoughtful planning, it can become a stylish and functional work zone that blends seamlessly into the home."

With that in mind, we're here to bring you some of the best ways of using this commonly wasted space as a home office that combines functionality with beautiful design.

Claire Garner

Claire has over 15 years’ experience in the interior design industry, and over a decade running her own interior design studio. She believes in designing spaces which are tailored just for you, by getting a full understanding of how you live your life, and how you want your home to feel.

1. Maximise natural light in your landing home office

Plenty of natural light is key to any home office design. Not only does it make it easier to see what you are doing, but it can also help foster a sense of wellbeing, which is so important if you want to look forward to your working day.

"If the landing has a window nearby, position your desk to benefit from that natural light," suggests Claire Garner. "It makes a huge difference to mood and productivity."

If there is no window currently on your landing, it is well worth considering whether installing a skylight might be a possibility. Often this won't require planning permission. Sun tubes, or light pipes, that funnel light down a reflective tube from the roof into your interior spaces are another great option.

2. Make sure artificial light is taken care of too

The working day doesn't always end as the sun goes down, particularly during the winter months, meaning your artificial lighting scheme is going to need some consideration if you want to work after hours.

"Make sure to layer your lighting," advises Claire Garner. "For example, a desk lamp with a warm bulb and an overhead pendant or wall light will ensure the space feels inviting throughout the day."

Adjustable spotlights also make sense when lighting a home office as you can tweak them depending on what you are doing at the time.

Shop home office lighting

3. Fit bespoke furniture and storage on your landing office space

In compact or smaller spaces, bespoke built-in storage ideas and furniture often works better than off-the-shelf as it can be tailored to maximise every last inch.

"Although we may aspire to have a room in the home that is completely dedicated to the home office, the reality for many is that they may have to create this from the only free space available, which may be on a landing," picks up interior designer Fiona Duke.

"Depending on the space available, bespoke joinery may be a great option to make use of every inch of available space. Desks that are made to measure into a narrow alcove or storage designed into a sloping wall can give the illusion of space and will elevate the whole area to feel far more considered."

Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company, agrees. "Bespoke furniture is particularly useful for this kind of landing space, as it can be tailored to fit awkward dimensions or alcoves," she says.

"A custom-made desk or shelving unit can be designed to make the most of narrow walls or angled ceilings, ensuring that no space is wasted. These designs can also integrate handy features such as concealed cable management or shallow drawers for office supplies."

Fiona Duke

Fiona Duke is creative director at Fiona Duke Interiors and, having initially graduated with a French degree, went back to her local university to study Interior Design before setting up the design studio in 2014.

Kate Palmer

Kate Palmer is the creative director at The Painted Furniture Company. With a background in fashion design and passion for colour and interiors, Kate has helped many customers to achieve the exact look they desired for their home.

4. Take cable management seriously

It is likely that you'll need a fair amount of electrical equipment as part of your home office set-up, be that a simple laptop, a printer or a few more complex items. What this means is not only that you'll need to consider how many electrical sockets you'll need to plug all these things in, but also how you will keep what is, in many cases, also going to be used as a throughfare, tidy and free of trip hazards.

"Keep the wiring neat and out of sight and provide ample storage so that desks can remain tidy and elements put away when not in use," advises Fiona Duke.

There are lots of products on the market to keep wires and cables tidy and out of sight so make sure you research all the options.

5. Use the vertical space on your landing wisely

Unless you are lucky enough to have a really spacious landing, the chances are you'll be keen to avoid taking up too much floor space, particularly in the case of small home offices. This is where it pays to look upwards.

"If floor space is tight, go upwards," advises Claire Garner. "Tall shelving or a wall of peg rails can help keep things off the desk while still accessible and attractive."

Even one wall of full-height shelving can make all the difference to how well-ordered a space feels. Don't forget to use the space above any doorways or windows too – they are the perfect place to fit shelving.

6. Prioritise brilliant storage on your landing

For any room or area of the house to be up to the job of multitasking, it is imperative to incorporate some genius storage, including some built-in desk ideas.

"Built-in drawers, floating shelves or a wall-mounted pinboard can help keep the space organised without taking up too much room," picks up Claire Garner. "Baskets or boxes can also be used under the desk to store tech or paperwork out of sight."

Your choice of furniture should also be up to the task of boosting the landing space's storage potential.

"Start with compact, multi-functional pieces such as a slimline desk with built-in storage or shelving," suggests Kate Palmer. "These allow for an efficient workspace without overcrowding the area or obstructing walkways. Since landings are often visible from other parts of the home, keeping the look clean and clutter-free is key."

Shop landing home office storage

7. Create visual calm with a cupboard-style home office

The very last thing you want is for your landing space to appear chaotic and cluttered in your quest to create a home office here – thankfully there are steps you can take to avoid this from happening.

"Since landings are often visible from multiple rooms, it’s important the office area doesn’t feel too cluttered," picks up Claire Garner. "Opt for a slimline desk and minimal styling – think simple storage, clean lines and a palette that ties in with the rest of the home."

Multipurpose furniture and designs that can be stowed neatly away when not in use also make sense, particularly when it comes to modern home office ideas.

"If you want the office to disappear when not in use, consider cabinetry that can close up or a foldaway desk," adds Claire Garner. "Using the same finishes and materials as the surrounding rooms helps it feel cohesive and intentional."

8. Decorate your landing home office with colours to encourage productivity and calm

Certain colour schemes work better than others when it comes to boosting productivity levels, but in the case of a landing home office you'll also need to choose a shade that ties in with the rest of your interior design scheme.

"A cohesive design approach is important in an open space like a landing," explains Kate Palmer. "Bespoke furniture allows you to select materials, colours and finishes that complement the surrounding décor, helping the workspace blend seamlessly into the rest of the home. With thoughtful planning and tailored furniture, even a small landing can be transformed into a practical and stylish place to work."

Just as the best bedroom colours can induce a sense of calm, so too can some shades help with focus. Consider darker blues and teal and don't discount introducing a few splashes of red and yellow to really energise the space.

9. Use decorating techniques to zone your landing office space

Just as when creating a home office in the bedroom or living room, it can be really helpful to create separate zones in order to give each area a more definite purpose.

"Even on an open-plan landing, you can define the work area using soft furnishings like a rug under the desk or painting the wall behind in a slightly different tone," advises Claire Garner. "This helps create a sense of separation without needing a physical divide."

Your home office layout can help here too. An L-shaped desk in a corner, for example, can create a dedicated working area that feels sheltered from the rest of the landing.

10. Put your staircase to good use with built-in storage

And, finally, don't forget the important role your staircase could play in helping to keep clutter under control. There are lots of staircase ideas to consider that can help you hide away less-than-attractive home office equipment once the working day is done.

From draws that pull out from beneath the stair treads to cupboards and drawers that can be built into the sides of the flight.

Don't neglect to make use of the walls that sit at the top and bottom of the stairs either – they are the perfect spot for full height shelving units or smart cupboards.

If your landing doesn't lend itself to a home office set-up, consider some garden office ideas instead. They are the perfect way to ensure you have some separation between your home and work life.